Whites through against battling minnows

PREMIERSHIP strugglers Swansea eased their way into the second round of the Swalec Cup at St Helen’s against a brave and battling RGC 1404 side whose off-the-field mentors included former Welsh international prop Chris Horsman and scrum-half Rupert Moon.

PREMIERSHIP strugglers Swansea eased their way into the second round of the Swalec Cup at St Helen’s against a brave and battling RGC 1404 side whose off-the-field mentors included former Welsh international prop Chris Horsman and scrum-half Rupert Moon.

The tie was over as a contest in the first quarter when the All Whites ran in tries by No 8 James McWilliams-Gray, winger Nathan Brooks and centre Aled Jenkins, the latter converted by full-back Nicky J Thomas.

Swansea played some excellent rugby but RGC1404 were often caught deep in their own 22 when trying to run the ball instead of kicking clear.

It looked like a pasting was on the cards for the North Walians but Swansea lost their way a little before winger Nicky Harwood added a fourth try to gave them a comfortable 22-0 lead at half time.

RGC1404 raised their game after the break and their tackling, which was very good throughout, knocked Swansea out of their stride and they won a lot of turnovers .

After a pointless third quarter dominated by the visitors, RGC1404 hit back when substitute winger Rhodri Evans ran back a Swansea kick and replacement prop Iolo Evans carried the move on for winger Carwyn Ap Myrddin to score from close range. Replacement centre Mitch McGahan added the conversion.

The North Walians continued to keep Swansea on the back foot until the 71st minute when Swansea got the shove on at a scrum in their first visit of the second half to the RGC1404 22, and marched the visitors backwards 15 metres.